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Monsieur Heroic.
Monsieur Tranquillitous Peace.
Monsieur Vainglorious.
Monsieur Satyrical.
Monsieur Censure.
Monsieur Sensuality.
Monsieur Inquisitive.
Monsieur Busy.
Monsieur Frisk.
Liberty, the Lady Pleasure's Gentleman-usher.
Mademoiselle Ambition.
Mademoiselle Superbe.
Mademoiselle Pleasure.
mademoiselle Bon' Esprit.
Mademoiselle Faction.
Grave Temperance, Governess to mademoiselle Pleasure.
Mademoiselle Portrait.
Mother Matron.
Wanton, Excess, Ease, Idle, Surfeit, waiting-maids to Mademoiselle Pleasure.
Flattery, Mademoiselle Superbe's nailing-maid.
Servants and others.
The Second Part of the Play called WITS
CABAL.
ACT I.
Scene 1.
Enter mademoiselle Ambition, Faction, Pleasure, Superbe, Portrait, and Mother Matron
enters as meeting them.
MAtron.
O Ladies, there is the rarest Beauty come to the City, out of the Country, that ever was
seen, she surpasseth Helen of Troy, or AEneas Mother Queen Venus.
Pleasure.
If she surpasseth their Appetites, as you say she doth their Beauties, she may chance to
fire this City with flames of Love, or cause a War to destroy it.
Portrait.
Have you seen her, Mother Matron?
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Matron.
No, but a friend of mine hath seen her.
Faction.
Perchance your friend's a fool, and knows not how to judge.
Matron.
Indeed my friend's a woman, and women have none of the best judgements.
Ambition.
But there is more probability that she hath a surpassing beauty if a woman praise her, than
if a man had praised her: for men have a partial love to the Effeminate Sex, which multiplies
their beauties to their sight, and makes a candle in the night seem like a Blazing Star.
Matron.
In truth and Love is dark: for 'tis said he is blind.
Portrait.
But Envy is quicksighted, and therefore I am afraid the Lady you speak of is surpassing,
since those of her own Sex can find no blemish or imperfection to cloud her from a praise.
Enter Monsieur busy.
busy.
Ladies, I am come to give you intelligence of a rare Beauty that is come to this City.
Ambition.
Her Fame hath outrun your Intelligence, Sir; but have you seen her?
busy.
No Lady, not I.
Enter Monsieur Inquisitive.
Inquisitive.
Ladies, there is a rare Beauty come to this Town to increase the number of your Cabal.
Superbe.
Our Cabal is of Wit, not of Beauty.
Inquisitive.
It's a Cabal of both, Lady.
Faction.
Have you seen her?
Inquisitive.
No Lady, but I have heard of her Beauty.
Enter Monsieur Sensuality.
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Sensuality.
Ladies, there is such a Beauty come to Town, that now or never you will be outshined.
Portrait.
jupiter bless us, and grant that she may not engross to herself all Mankind, and so leave
all the rest of her Sex destitute and forlorn!
Sensuality.
It is to be hoped she will humble you, as to bring you to be more compliant to us men
than you have been.
Ambition.
Have you seen her, Monsieur Sensuality?
Sensuality.
No not I.
Ambition.
Why then she is a Miracle, that every one hears of, but nobody seeth.
Faction.
May she continue a Miracle still: for I had rather that she should only be heard of, than
be visibly seen.
Sensuality.
But I will do my endeavour to see her.
busy.
So will I.
Exit Men.
Pleasure.
I long to see her as much as the men do.
Ambition.
So do I.
Faction.
And I.
Superbe.
And I.
Portrait.
And I.
Ambition.
But how shall we compass the sight of her?
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Portrait.
Faith let's go to a Play, I'll warrant you she'll be there.
Pleasure.
If she be, we shall only see her Mask, not her Face: for at the common Playhouses all
the Effeminate Sex sit masked and muffled.
Portrait.
Why then let us go to that Church which is most frequented, as where some Famous
Preachers preach; and certainly, if she be such a Beauty, she will be there: Besides, there
our Sex sit to the full View, to Attract the Eyes of the Gods.
Matron.
No, no, Lady, they sit to the full View, to tempt the Appetites of men: for they think not on
the Gods, nor care the Gods should think of them.
Pleasure.
Fie, fie, Mother Matron, you will make Women damnable creatures, if they could be made
so by your Description: But Women go to Church to present their prayers of Request, and
praises of Thanksgiving, and not to show themselves to men, nor to tempt their Appetites,
as you say.
Matron.
Come, come, Ladies, search your own Consciences, and you will find I have spoke the
truth: for if you only went to present your prayers to the Gods, you would go as humble
petitioners, or sorrowful penitents, clothed in sackcloth, and ashes on your head; and not
attired in gold and silver, painted, patched, and curled, unless you think the Gods are like
to men, to be delighted and enamoured with Vanity, Beauty, and Bravery: for you make the
Church a Masking-room, rather than a place of Devotion.
Portrait.
No, we rather strive to make it like Heaven, which is glorious and splendorous; and the
Heavenly Society is said to be beautiful.
Matron.
Yes, such a Heaven, where Maskers are instead of Saints.
Faction.
Why, Angels are described by Painters to have fine-coloured wings, and by Preachers,
to hold fine gold branches in their hands, and the Heavens are described to us to be most
gloriously adorned, with Diamonds, Rubies, Pearl, Emeralds, Gold, and Crystal, which shows
the God's delight in braveries: Wherefore we, to delight the Gods, make ourselves fine and
gay.
Matron.
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No, no, Ladies, you strive not to delight the Gods, but to be Adored and Worshipped as
Goddesses by the Masculine Sex, whom you would have to be your Saints.
Superbe.
I know not whether we desire to be Goddesses, or not; But I am sure, if women be as
irreligious as you make them to be, they will prove Devils.
Faction.
And Mother Matron here will prove the chief She-Devil amongst our Sex.
Matron.
No, no, Lady, I'm devour, for I say my prayers every night and every morning.
Ambition.
May be so you do, and all the time you are saying your prayers, you are thinking of your
snarled Periwig, or how you shall trim up your old Gown that was given you by some of our
Cabal.
Matron.
Faith I must confess I have had some such thoughts when I have been at my prayers,
God forgive me for't.
Portrait.
And for all you exclaim against young Beauties, for there is your spite now your beauty
is gone; yet I have observed, that when you are at Church, you will cast your eyes about,
and mop and mew, and simpering, bridled in your Chin, in hopes to catch some beardless
boy; and when you look up on the Preachers face, if he be a young Lecturer, it is not out of
Attention, of what he preaches, but in hopes to persuade him to marry you, as thinking he
would imagine you would make a good Virtuous Religious woman, sit to make a parson's
Wife.
Matron.
No faith, I will never be a parson's Wife: for Preachers are given so much to
Contemplation, as they seldom speak but in the pulpit; but if they do, it will be of subjects I
understand not, as of such subjects as they have read out of dead Authors.
Superbe.
Why then you will have the more liberty to speak yourself, if your Husband speak but
seldom.
Matron.
That's true; but those which love to speak much, are like drunkards, which is, they love
company: for Questions and Answers are like drinking and pledging, and Arguing is like
drinking Healths, and quarrels and friendships, and friendships and quarrels proceed from
the one as often as from the other.
Faction.
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Then it seems you are both kind and quarrelsome, both in your talk and drink: for you
speak very experienced of both.
Matron.
So much experience I have, living long in the World, as to know that drink makes one
talk, and talking makes one dry.
Pleasure.
Well, leaving this dry discourse, Mother Matron, you must find out some way or means
whereby we may be acquainted with the rare Beauty which every one talks of,
Matron.
I will do my endeavour, and employ the wisdom of my brain to compass it.
Exeunt.
Scene 2.
Enter mademoiselle Bon' Esprit, and her Maid enters soon after.
MAid.
Madam, there is Monsieur Satyrical come to visit you.
Bon' Esprit.
Cupid and Venus possess him, and Pallas guard me. Conduct him hither.
Enter Monsieur Satyrical.
Bon' Esprit.
Monsieur Satyrical, you appear like a Comet to our Sex.
Satyrical.
If all your Sex had been like you, I should have been as conversant as one of the Planets.
Bon' Esprit.
I hope you have not that Influence on our Sex, as the Planets have on Earthly Creatures.
Satyrical.
I wish I had, for then I might cast such an Influence of Love, as might cause you to love me.
Bon' Esprit.
But you are like the Planet of Saturn, and not of Venus: for you frown, when Venus smiles.
Satyrical.
I shall not do so when you smile.
Bon' Esprit.
You will when I quarrel with you.
Satyrical.
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I hope you will not quarrel with me; but if you do, I will receive your anger, as subjects
receive the punishments of Laws, obediently, although it ruins me.
Bon' Esprit.
I will make you Judge of the Cause, as of the Laws. Have I not reason to quarrel with
you, when I Challenged you to an Honourable Fight, and you returned my Challenge back
with scorn and slight?
Satyrical.
Whatsoever my Answer was, I confess I am conquered, and yield myself your prisoner,
to dispose of me as you please: But if you will, take a Ransom of current Love, which I have
brought you in the Chest of my Heart, wherein it is so fast locked, that nothing but your
Acceptance can open it.
Bon' Esprit.
If it be capable of being taken forth, I may leave your heart empty.
Satyrical.
Your Virtue will still furnish it with more,
Your pure Chastity increase the store.
Bon' Esprit.
Your Wit is very apt to take your part,
To keep your own, yet strives to steal my heart:
But if you do not use it nobly well,
It will complain to Gods, the truth will tell.
Satyrical.
May I be cursed, my Wit be quenched out,
If I give you a cause my Love so doubt,
Or I your. Virtues highly not admire,
Preferring them before a loose desire,
May all the Gods their vengeance on me cast,
And may their punishments for ever last.
Bon' Esprit.
I was in jest at first; but since I find
Your Love so honest, and your words so kind,
I cannot doubt, nor yet myself deny
The union Friendship in firm bonds to tie
Of everlasting love; and if I break,
May Gods be deaf when I in prayers do speak.
Satyrical.
Madam, the Poetical Duel hath ended in Friendship, and if you please, in Marriage.
Bon' Esprit.
I consent; but do not prize me the less for being soon won for I loved you before you
asked my Love; and being asked, I could not deny you.
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Satyrical.
I value your love as Saints do Heaven, and prize it as highly as Gods their power; and
for my crimes committed against you and your Sex, I offer up my heart on the Altar of
Repentance, as a sacrifice to you my Goddess for an Atonement of your Anger.
Bon' Esprit.
I accept of thy Offering, and shall receive it as a Trophy of my Victory.
Satyrical.
I am your slave.
Exeunt.
Scene 3.
Enter Superbe, Ambition, Faction, Pleasure, and Portrait.
AMbition.
It is said that Women are the greatest Conquerors, because they conquer conquering
men, and make them become slaves: For it is said, that Women have conquered the wisest
man, as Solomon, the wittiest man, as David, the strongest man, as Sampson, the fairest
man, as Paris of Troy, the valiantest man, as Achilles, the subtlest man, as Ulysses, the
powerfullest men, as Alexander and Caesar.
Faction.
By your favour, Women never made a Conquest of the two latter, and therefore cannot
be said to be absolute Conquerors: for none are absolute Conquerors but those that conquer
power, that is, those that get absolute dominion over all the World, which Alexander and
Caesar are said to have done by their Valour and Conduct; and never any Woman or Women
conquered those men, as to get them to yield up their power for a woman's sake, which
shows they were not ruled by women, although they loved women; by which it is to be proved,
that women never made an absolute Conquest of men, because they could never conquer
absolutely those two absolute Conquerors and Masters of the World.
Pleasure.
But Livia Conquered Augustus Caesar, and Ruled his Power; and he was as absolute a
Master of the World's Power, as julius Caesar and Alexander.
Faction.
He was rather to be said the Possessor of the World's power, than the absolute Conqueror
of the World's power.
Superbe.
It is as good to be a Conqueress of the possessor of power, as to conquer the Conqueror
of power.
Ambition.
It is as good for the Benefit, but not so much for the Honour of it.
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Portrait.
But Alexander nor Caesar lived not so long a time, as to be Conquered by women: for
women must have time and opportunity for to gain the Conquest in, as well as men have.
Faction.
If Alexander and Caesar must have been old before they possibly could have been
conquered, it proves that women do rather conquer Age, than power weakens the strength;
and the truth is, women conquer nothing but the vices, weaknesses, and defects of
men: As they can conquer an unexperienced Youth, and doting Age, ignorant Breeding,
effeminate Natures, wavering Minds, facile Dispositions, soft Passions, wanton Thoughts,
unruly Appetites, and the luxurious Lives of men; but they cannot conquer men's fixed
Resolutions, their heroic Valours, their high Ambitions, their magnificent Generosities, their
glorious Honours, or their conquering or overruling Powers: Nor can women conquer their
moral Virtues, as their Prudence, Fortitude, Justice, and Temperance. But put the case a
man had the power of the whole World, and could quit that power for the enjoyment of any
particular woman, or women, yet he quits not that power for the woman's sake, but for his
minds-sake, his pleasure-sake, as to satisfy his Fancy, Passion, or Appetites: And what
Conquest soever Women make on Men, if any Conquest they do make, is more by the favour
of Nature, than the Gods.
Ambition.
Well, I wish I may be the Conqueress of one man, let the favour proceed from which it will.
Exeunt.
Scene 4.
Enter Ease, Wanton, and Idle.
EAse.
There hath been such a Skirmish, or rather a Battle.
Idle.
How, and betwixt whom?
Ease.
Why, betwixt Grave Temperance and Mother Matron.
Idle.
What was the cause of their falling out.
Ease.
Why Mother Matron had a spiced pot of Ale in her hand, so she set it to her mouth, and
drank a hearty draught of it, and finding it very good and refreshing, drank another draught.
By my faith, said she, this is a cherely cup indeed, and a comfortable drink, and with that
drank another draught, and so long-winded she was, as she drank up all the Ale therein:
Whereupon, Grave Temperance rebuked her for drinking so much, saying, that though a
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little, as one draught, or so, might refresh the Spirits, yet a great quantity would make her
drunk: Whereupon Mother Matron, who could not then suffer a reproof, in anger she flung
the pot, which was still in her hand, at Grave Temperance's head.
Idle.
It was a sign she had drank all the good liquor out, or otherwise she would not have
thrown the pot away.
Ease.
It was a sign she was drunk, or else she would not have done so outrageous an act, as
to have broke Grave Temperance's head.
Enter Mother Matron as half drunk, and scolding.
Matron.
Reprove me! teach me! Have not I lived long enough in the World to be able to govern
myself, but Temperance must govern me? Am I a Child? am I a Novice, that I must be
governed by Temperance? No, no, let her go to Nunneries, and let her be the Lady Prioress
to govern Nuns, for i'faith she shall not Prior me.
Idle.
Not Friar you, do you say?
Matron.
No nor nun me neither: for I will be neither friared, nor Nunned.
Ease.
Why what will you be?
Matron.
Why what should I be, but as I am, a wise, sober, and discreet Governess to a company
of young Ladies? Ladies that love the World better than Heaven, and hate a Nunnery worse
than Death; and by my Faith they have reason, for liberty is the joy of life, and the World is the
place of sensual pleasures, and sensual pleasures are substantial, and in being, when the
pleasures after death are uncertain; but if they were certain, yet I had rather have a draught
of Ale in this World, than a draught of Nectar in the next.
Idle.
This Ale hath heat her into a Poetical height.
Matron.
What do you say, into a pots head?
Idle.
No, I say your head is a pot, filled with the fume of Ale.
Matron.
What have you to do with my head?
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Ease.
What had you to do with Grave Temperance's head?
Matron.
I would Temperance's grave head were in your throat, and then there would be two fools
heads one within another.
Idle.
Come, let's leave her, or she will talk herself into a fit of madness.
Ease and Idle go out
Matron alone.
Matron.
A couple of Gill-flirts, to heat me thus.
Exit.
Scene 5.
Enter Monsieur Satyrical, and mademoiselle Bon' Esprit.
SAtyrical.
Dear Mistress, have you freely pardoned and forgiven me my faults?
Bon' Esprit.
Yes.
Satyrical.
But will you not reprove me for them hereafter?
Bon' Esprit.
In a pardon all faults ought to be forgiven, if not forgotten, and no repetitions ought to
be made of the same: for a clear pardon, and a free forgiveness, blots out all offences, or
should do so. But you imagine your offences greater than they are, and by your doubts, I
to be of less good nature than I am.
Satyrical.
There are none that have offended what they love, but fears, and hopes, and doubts,
sight Duels in their Minds.
Bon' Esprit.
Banish those doubts, and let the hopes remain to build a confident belief to keep out
jealousy, otherwise it will take possession, and destroy, at least disturb affection.
Satyrical.
Not my affection to you.
Exeunt.
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Scene 6.
Enter Superbe, Ambition, and Portrait.
FAction.
For heaven's sake let's go see Mother Matron: for 'tis said she's mad-drunk.
Ambition.
If she be mad-drunk, she's rather to be shunned than sought after.
Superbe.
Why, do not we give money to see mad people in Bedlam? and we may see her for
nothing.
Ambition.
Those people are not madly drunk, nor drunkly mad: for they, poor creatures, drink
nothing but water.
Portrait.
Perchance if they did drink strong drink, it might make them soberly in their right wits.
Enter Mother Matron as partly drunk.
Matron.
Where is Monsieur Frisk? O that Monsieur Frisk were here!
Faction.
What would you have with Monsieur Frisk?
Matron.
I would challenge Monsieur Frisk.
Ambition.
What, to sight?
Matron.
Yes, in Cupid's Wars.
Portrait.
By Venus I swear, thou hast been Cashiered from Cupid's Wars this thirty years.
Matron.
Come, come, Ladies, for all your frumps, you are forced to make me General, to lead
up the Train, and Generalissimo, to set the Battalions, so that though I am too old to be a
common Soldier, I am young enough to be a Commander.
Superbe.
Thou art at this time but a drunken Commander.
Matron.
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If I am drunk, I am but as a Commander ought to be, or as a Commander usually is.
Ambition.
Pray do not accuse Mother Matron: for though her Brain may be a little disturbed, yet her
Reason is sober, and governs her Tongue orderly.
Matron.
O sweet Monsieur Frisk!
Exit Mother Matron.
Faction.
If her Reason governs her Tongue, I do not perceive it governs her Humour.
Faction.
Her Humour, say you, you mean her Appetites.
Exeunt.
ACT II.
Scene 7.
Enter mademoiselle Pleasure, and Monsieur Tranquillitous Peace.
PLeasure.
Passions are begot betwixt the Soul and the Body, the Reason and the Sense; and the
Habitation of the Passions is the Heart, which is in the midst of man, as betwixt the Rational
part, the Head, and the Sensual Part.
Tranquill.
What part is that, Madam?
Pleasure.
The bestial part.
Tranquill.
What part is the bestial part? for I cannot perceive but beasts and men are alike in most
parts.
Pleasure.
I am not a Lectural Reader of parts.
Tranquill.
One would think you were by your former Discourse.
Pleasure.
Why, I may mention parts, without Preaching on parts.
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Tranquill.
But if Women would Preach of the parts of the Body, and leave Preaching of the Spirit and
Soul, it would be better for themselves, their Husbands, Friends, and Neighbours, than it is:
And if men would do the like, it would be better for themselves, their wives, and neighbours:
But they preach altogether of the Soul, and yet know not what the Soul is.
Pleasure.
How would you have them preach of the Body?
Tranquill.
First, as for themselves, if they would consider: for they must consider before they Preach,
which is, to Teach: If they would consider, I say, how frail the parts of Mankind are, how
tender and weak every part of the body is, how apt they are to sickness and diseases, how
they are subject more to pain than to pleasure, how difficult it is to keep the body from harm,
how soon the body withers, decays, and dies: If Mankind did consider this of the body, they
would study what was the guard, and the preservation of every part of the body; in which
study they would find Temperance the only preservation of parts, and life of pleasure: for in
Excess pleasure dies, and pains possess the body. Thus we can destroy the body sooner
by Excess, and preserve it longer by Temperance, than otherwise it would be.
Secondly, for those that are married, temperance keeps both man and wise chaste,
patient, and healthful, because gluttony, debauchery, and intemperate anger, hurts the body,
and destroys the body. Thus temperance keeps the place of Wedlock: for a Wife being
patient, the Husband lives peaceably, being chaste, he lives honourably, being healthful,
he lives comfortably; and the Husband, being temperate, he will neither be a Glutton, a
Drunkard, an Adulterer, nor Gamester: for gaming hurts the body, with vexing at the losses,
and sitting still, which hinders the Exercise of the body, or keeping unseasonable hours,
which is pernicious to the health of the Body, as to the quiet of the Mind, and waste of their
Estates. Thus a man and wife lives free from jealousies and fear of poverty
Thirdly, for their Neighbours: If they be temperate, they will neither be covetous,
quarrelsome, nor envious, which will keep them from doing injury or wrong, and will cause
them to be friendly and kind: for if they covet not their neighbours' goods, they will not strive
to possess their neighbours right; if they be not envious, they will be sociable, and helpful to
each other, as good neighbours ought to be: thus they will not vex each other with Lawsuits,
and quarrelling Disputes, nor Adulteries, and the like: And if men live peaceably, it is good
for the Commonwealth, as being free from faction and tumult: Besides, Peace and Love are
the ground whereon all the Commands of the Gods are built on.
Pleasure.
You may preach temperance, but few will follow your Doctrine.
Tranquill.
Yes, Pleasure will: for without temperance there can be no lasting pleasure.
Exeunt.
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Scene 8.
Enter Idle and Ease.
EAse.
Yonder's Mother Matron so metamorphosed, as at first I did not know her.
Idle.
How metamorphosed is she?
Ease.
Most strangely attired for her Age, and as strangely behaved.
Idle.
How, for Jupiter's sake?
Ease.
Why she hath a green Satin gown on, but it is of an ill-chosen green, for it is of the colour
of goose-dung, and an Orange-yellow Feather on her head.
Idle.
I hope she is not jealous.
Ease.
Then is she beset with many several coloured Ribbons, as Hair-colour, Watchet, Blushcolour, and White.
Idle.
What, to express her Despair, Constancy, Modesty, and Innocence?
Ease.
I think she may despair, but for her constancy, I doubt it, and for modesty, I dare swear
she never had any; but if she had, it was so long since, as she hath quite forgot it; as for her
innocence, I will leave it to the Examination or Accusation of her own Conscience.
Idle.
But how is her behaviour?
Ease.
Why she simpers, and draws the deep lines in her face into closes, and her wrinkles are
the quickset hedges; than she turns her Eyes aside in coy glances, and her Body is in a
perpetual motion, turning and winding, and wreathing about, from object to object, and her
Gate is jetting, and sometimes towards a dancing pace; besides, she is toying and playing
with every thing, like a Girl of fifteen, and now and then she will sing quavering, as a Note or
two betwixt a word or two, after the French and Courtly Mode.
Idle.
Surely she is mad.
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Enter Wanton.
Wanton.
Who's mad?
Idle.
Mother Matron.
Wanton.
No otherwise than all Amorous Lovers use to be.
Idle.
Why is she an Amorous Lover?
Wanton.
Yes, a most desperate one.
Ease.
Who is she so amorously affected with?
Wanton.
With Monsieur Frisk.
Idle.
Why he is not above one and twenty years of Age.
Wanton.
That's the reason she's in love with him: for it is his youth, and his dancing, she amorously
affects him for, for she swears that the very first time she saw him dance, Cupid did wound
her, and shot his golden Arrows from the heels of Monsieur Frisk.
Ease.
Why she is threescore and ten, at least.
Wanton.
That's all one: for Cupid wounds Age as well as youth.
Ease.
But I had thought that an old woman's heart had been so hard Love could not have
entered.
Wanton.
Old Mother Matron proves it otherwise: for her Heart is as tender as the youngest Heart
of us all.
Idle.
While I am young I will be a Lover, because I will not be a Fool when I am old.
Ease.
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That's the way to be a Fool whilst you are young, and a Lover when you are old.
Wanton.
No, that is to be a Courtesan whilst she is young, and a Bawd when she is old.
Idle.
Nay faith, when I can no longer traffic for myself, I will never trade for any other.
Wanton.
Covetousness will tempt your reverent Age.
Exeunt.
Scene 9.
Enter Ambition, Pleasure, Faction, Portrait, Bon' Esprit, Superbe, Wanton, Ease, Excess.
PLeasure.
How shall we entertain our time?
Portrait.
Let us sit and choose Husbands.
Bon' Esprit.
What, in the Ashes?
Portrait.
No, in our Speeches.
Faction.
Content.
Ambition.
Begin; but let your Maids, Lady Pleasure, sit and choose Husbands with us.
Pleasure.
If I were to choose a Husband, I would choose a man that was honourably born, nobly
bred, wisely taught, civilly behaved; also I would have him to speak rationally, wittily, and
eloquently; to act prudently, valiantly, justly, and temperately; to live freely, magnificently,
and peaceably. I would have him honourably born, because I would not have him a Boor by
Nature, which is surly, rude, grumbling, and miserable: I would have him nobly bred, because
I would not have him a Shark, a Cheat, or a Sycophant: I would have him wisely taught,
because I would not have him an ignorant fool, nor a pedantical fool: I would have him civillybehaved, to please my Eyes: I would have him to speak rational, witty, and eloquent, to
please my Ears: I would have him valiant, to defend his Country, to guard his Family, and
to maintain his Honour: I would have him prudent, to foresee misfortunes, and to provide for
the future, that I may never want for the present: I would have him temperate, lest Excess
should ruin his Fortune, Health, or Esteem: I would have him just, because others should be
just to him; to live freely, as not to be enslaved; to live magnificently, for to be respected; to
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live peaceably, to avoid brawleries. And such a man as this, will be kind to his Wife, loving
to his Children, bountiful to his Servants, courteous to his Friends, civil to Strangers, faithful
to his Trust, and just to his Promise.
Superbe.
If I were to choose a Husband, I would choose a man that were Rich, honoured with Titles,
and were Powerful. I would have him Rich, because I would have him live plentifully, to feed
luxuriously, to be adorned gloriously: I would have him to have Titles of Honour, because I
would take place of my Neighbours, to have the chief place at a Feast, and to have the first
and choicest meats offered me: I would have him Powerful, to oppose my Opposers, to insult
over my Enemies, and to neglect my Friends; which, if I be poor and helpless, they will do me:
Thus I shall be honoured by my Superiors, crouched to by Inferiors, flattered by Sycophants,
bragged of by my Friends, obeyed by my Servants, respected by my Acquaintance, envied
by my Neighbours, sought to by my Enemies. Thus I might advance my Friends, punish my
Enemies, tread down my Superiors, enslave my Inferiors, insult over my Foes, and enthrone
myself.
Ambition.
If I were to choose a Husband, I would choose a man whom all other men are slaves to,
and he mine. And what can I desire more than to be absolute?
Bon' Esprit.
If I were to choose, I would choose a man for a Husband that were an honest and plaindealing man, patient and wise, that I might neither be deceived by his falsehood, nor troubled
with his quarrels, nor vexed with his follies.
Faction.
If I were to choose a Husband, I would choose a subtle crafty Knave, that can cheat an
honest Fool, with which cheats I can entertain my time, like those that go to see Jugglers
play tricks.
Wanton.
If I were to choose a Husband, I would choose a man that were blind, deaf, and dumb, that
he might neither trouble me with his impertinent Questions, nor see my indiscreet Actions,
nor hear my foolish Discourses: Thus I may say what I will, and never be crossed, do what
I will, and never be hindered, go where I will, and never be watched, come when I will, and
never be examined, entertain whom I will, and never be rebuked. Thus I may Govern as I
will, Spend as I will, Spare as I will, without Controlment.
Portrait.
If I were to choose a Husband, I would choose a man that were industrious, thrifty, and
thriving: for the pleasure is not so much to enjoy, as getting, like those that are hungry, have
more pleasure in eating their meat, than when their stomachs are full.
Excess.
19
If I were to choose a Husband, I would choose a man that were a busy Fool, which would
continually bring me fresh, although false News: for his busy mind, which fills his Head with
Projects, which Projects will feed my excessive Ambition, with his high Designs, although
improbable, and set my thoughts at work with his several Achievements, although there is no
leading-path therein: But howsoever, this will furnish my Imagination, employ my Thoughts,
please my Curiosity, and entertain my time with Varieties, wherein, and wherewith, I may
pass my life with fine Phantasms, or like a fine Dream.
Pleasure.
It is a sign you love sleep excessively well, so as you would have your life pass as a
dream.
Excess.
Why, Madam, sleeping is the life's Elysium, and our dreams the pastime therein, and our
beds are our living graves, to the greatest part of our life, and most are best pleased therein:
for it gives rest to our wearied and tired limbs, it revives the weak and fainting spirits, it eases
the sick and pained, it pacifies the grieved, it humours the melancholy, it cherishes age, it
nourishes youth, it begets warmth, it cools heat, it restores health, it prolongs life, and keeps
the mind in peace.
Ease.
I will not choose, but wish and pray, which is, if ever I marry, I pray Jove that I may outlive
my Husband.
Bon' Esprit.
O fie, Women pray that their Husbands may outlive them?
Ease.
If they do, in my Conscience they dissemble, but howsoever I will never pray so: for I
perceive when men are Widowers, they are more hasty to marry again than Bachelors are,
and the last love blots out the first, and I should be sorry to be blotted out.
Ambition.
But if men do marry after they have buried their first Wife, yet perchance they will not
love their second Wife so well as the first.
Ease.
I know not that, but yet to the outward view I perceive a man seems to forget his first Wife
in the presence of his second Wife.
Faction.
By your favour, a second Wife puts a Husband in remembrance of his first Wife, either
for goodness or badness.
Ease.
For my part, I would not be kept in remembrance by one in my room; but howsoever, I
shall love myself better than I'm sure I shall love my Husband, and therefore I desire to live
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long: for I had rather live and have him in remembrance, than die and to forget him; and I
had rather remember than be remembered.
Enter Grave Temperance.
Pleasure.
O Temperance, I heard say that you have seen the rare Beauty, mademoiselle la Belle.
Portrait.
And is she so handsome as she is reported to be?
Temperance.
Truly she is a pretty young Lady.
Faction.
Is she only a pretty Lady?
Bon' Esprit.
Why she is young, and those that are very young, are only pretty; but those that are at
full growth are beautiful and handsome, and those in their Autumnal years are Lovely, and
those that are old are ill-favoured.
Temperance.
No, no, those Women that have been once handsome, never grow ill-favoured.
Pleasure.
Well, setting aside old women, what say you to the young Lady?
Temperance.
I say she is handsomer at a distance than near-hand.
Superbe.
That's well, for then her praises will be only at a distance.
Temperance.
No by'r Lady, she hath Beauty enough to be praised to her face.
Portrait.
I had rather appear handsomer at a distance than at a near view, than seem worse at a
distance, and handsomer at a near view.
Ambition.
Why so?
Portrait.
By reason there is no Woman but is seen more by strangers than acquaintance; besides,
whole streets of people view Ladies as they pass through in their Coaches, when perchance
not above half a dozen neighbours and acquaintance see them near hand.
Faction.
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So you may have many Admirers, but few Lovers.
Portrait.
Faith the rarest Beauties that ever were, the more they were known and seen, the less
Esteemed and Admired they were: for an unacquainted face appears, or at least pleaseth
better, although but an indifferent Beauty, than a common face, although it excels with
Beauty.
Pleasure.
Did you not hear mademoiselle la Belle speak?
Temperance.
No faith, she may be dumb for any thing I know.
Bon' Esprit.
How is she behaved?
Temperance.
After the Country Mode.
Ambition.
What manner of Woman is her Mother?
Temperance.
A Country Lady.
Faction.
Faith if Mademoiselle la Belle hath neither Wit nor Behaviour, her Beauty will be dimmed
for the want of either: for Wit and Behaviour are the Polishers of Beauty, otherwise Beauty
is but like a Diamond unfiled, or unpolished, or like gold untried, or unresined.
Temperance.
Nay Ladies, she may have a great Wit for all that I know: for she did not express either
simplicity or ignorance, whilst I was in her company she spoke not one word.
Superbe.
Let us examine no more, but let us go see her, and then discourse with her.
Exeunt.
Scene 10.
Enter Mother matron's Maid, and Monsieur Frisk.
FRisk.
Pretty Maid, would you speak with me?
Maid.
Yes, and if't please your Worship.
22
Frisk.
From whom come you?
Maid.
From my Mistress.
Frisk.
Who is your Mistress?
Maid.
Mother Matron.
Frisk.
What Message hath Mother Matron sent to me?
Maid.
She hath sent your Worship a Letter, and desires your Worship to send her an Answer.
Frisk.
Go and stay within, and I will give you an Answer.
Exit Maid.
Frisk.
This Letter is concerning some of the young Ladies that are in Love with me.
He kisseth the Letter,
Blessed Letter, that art the Messenger of Love, the Presenter of Youth, Beauty and Wit,
and the Inviter to Pleasure.
He opens the Letter, and reads it aloud, as to himself.
The Letter.
Sweet Monsieur Frisk,
Oh Dear Monsieur Frisk, since I last saw you, and heard you speak so wisely, as that
you would wait upon the Ladies, and proffer so kindly, as to proffer me a kiss, meeting
you in the Lane called Loves Folly. O that Lane, that fortunate or unfortunate Lane! for as
my wishes succeed, the Lane proves good or bad: for since that time of meeting, I have
loved you, or rather, I may say, I have been in Love with you, or rather, I may say, I have
Fancied you beyond all other young Gentlemen, and I hope you will return the like to me:
For though I am not in my blooming Beauty, yet I am not quite decayed, but there remains
some fresh colour, wherewith a young Gentleman may take delight; and let me tell you,
the Autumn is more pleasant than the Spring, for the Spring is raw and cold, the Autumn is
warm and comfortable: wherefore let me persuade you, sweet Monsieur Frisk, to choose
the Autumnal fruits, and reject the Springing buds, which are insipid and tasteless: Ripe
fruits are better than green, and Winter-fruits more lasting than the fruits of the Summer:
Stayed Gravity is more happy to live with, than wild Inconstancy; the wisdom of Age is
23
more profitable than the follies of Youth; not that I say I'm old, nor pray think me not so,
but that I am as wise as Age can make me, and Wisdom is not a portion that is given to
every one, yet what wisdom I have, I will impart to you, sweet Monsieur Frisk, you shall be
the Receiver; the Treasurer, and the Disposer; also with my wisdom I give my heart, with
my heart I give you my person, which wisdom, heart, and person, is not to be despised:
for by my wisdom you will receive Counsel, with my heart Love, and with my person that
Beauty Time hath left me, who like a cheating knave, hath robbed me of some, but yet
there is enough left, dear Monsieur Frisk, to delight your view: for although I am not like
Helen of Greece, yet I am like Helen, when she was Helen of Troy, for then, by my faith,
she was in her Autumnal years, as I am, which was about fifty, or by'r Lady, somewhat
more, and then she was as dear to her Paris, witness Troy, and as much desired of her
of.... witness the Greeks, as when she was but fifteen. Wherefore, dear Frisk, let me be
thy Helen, and be thou my Paris, and let our Loves be as bright as the fire of Troy, but not
so consuming; but if thou deny'st me, I shall consume in mine own flames, and be buried
in mine own ashes, which will fly in the face of thy cruelty, to revenge me thy
Languishing Lover, namely Mother Matron.
24
25
Frisk.
A pox of her luxurious Appetite, to be Amorous at fourscore, one might have thought, nay
sworn, that Cupid's fire had been put out with Time's Extinguisher; but I perceive by Mother
Matron, that time hath no power over that Appetite, but I am forty time hath made her such
a creature, as not to be capable of curses, for she is herself a curse beyond all I could give
her; but if she were capable, I would bury her under a mountain of curses, for raising up my
hopes to the height of young beautiful Ladies by the outside of the Letter, and then frustrating
my expectation by the inside, causing me to fall from the bower of bliss, into the grave of
life, the habitation of death; from a young Beauty, to an old doting Woman: O, I will tear this
letter that hath deceived me; but stay, I will keep this letter to make sport amongst the young
Ladies, which sport may perchance insinuate me into some favour with the young Ladies:
for as idle and ridiculous pastime, or means as this is, hath got many times good success
amongst Ladies: wherefore I will, for their sport-sake, jestingly Court Mother Matron, and in
the mean time of the Progress, write her a letter.
Exit.
ACT III.
Scene 11.
Enter mademoiselle Ambition, and Monsieur Inquisitive.
INquisitive.
I hear, mademoiselle Ambition, you are to marry Monsieur Vainglorious.
Ambition.
No, for I am too honest to marry one man, and love, admire, and esteem another man
beyond him; but when I marry, I will marry such a one as I prize, honour, love, and admire
above all other men, or else I will never marry.
Inquisitive.
What man could you esteem, honour, and love most?
Ambition.
He that I thought had the noblest Soul, and had done the most worthiest Actions.
Inquisitive.
But put the case that man that were as you would have him, were so engaged as you
could not enjoy him in lawful marriage?
Ambition.
I could lawfully enjoy him, although I could not lawfully marry him.
Inquisitive.
As how?
26
Ambition.
As in Contemplation, for I could enjoy his Soul no otherwise, if I were married to him: for
if I were married, I could but contemplate of his Merits, please myself with the thoughts of
his Virtues, honour his generous Nature, and praise his Heroic Actions: And these I can do
as much, although I should live at distance from him, nor never be his Wife: for the marriage
of Bodies, is no enjoyment of Souls.
Inquisitive.
This would only be an opinion of delight, but no true enjoyment of pleasure: for though
an Opinion may affright the Soul, yet the Opinion cannot pleasure the Body. But say an
Opinion could delight the Soul without the Senses, yet the pleasures of the Senses are to
be preferred before the delight of the Soul: for the truth is, that the spirits of life take more
delight in sensual pleasures, than in the Souls imagination: for life lives in the Senses, not
in the Soul: for were there no Senses, there would be no Life.
Ambition.
By your favour, there is life in the Soul, when Death hath extinguished the Senses.
Inquisitive.
That's more than you know, you believe it only upon report; but who hath had the trial or
experience of the truth of it? So that the report is upon an unknown ground, and your belief
is built upon an unsure Foundation.
Ambition.
What belief is for my advantage, I will strive and endeavour to strengthen it, on what
foundation soever it's built upon.
Exeunt.
Scene 12.
Enter Monsieur Frisk, and Mother matron's Maid.
FRisk.
You will pardon me, pretty Maid, for causing you to stay so long, for an Answer of your
Mistress's Letter.
Maid.
There requires no pardon Sir, for I have been very well entertained by your man, I thank
him.
Frisk.
I perceive my man hath had better fortune than his Master, for he hath had youth to
entertain; but I hope if you receive the man's entertainment so thankfully, you will not refuse
the Masters.
Maid.
My Mistress would be jealous of your Worship, if you should entertain me.
27
Frisk.
Why, doth your Mistress love me so much?
Maid.
So much, as she cannot sleep quietly for dreaming of you; nor lets me sleep: for she
wakes me every night to tell me her dreams.
Frisk.
What dreams she?
Maid.
One dream was, she dreamed that she was Diana, and you Actaeon.
Frisk.
What, to set horns on my head?
Maid.
No, my Mistress said, that she in her dream did more as a Goddess ought to have done,
than Diana did: for she was generous in her dream, and not cruel, for instead of horning you,
she invited you into her Bath.
Frisk.
I hope you were one of her Nymphs.
Maid.
Another time she dreamed you were Mercury, and she Hearse; and another, that she
was Venus, and you Adonis; but the last night she awaked out of a fearful dream.
Frisk.
What dream was that?
Maid.
She dreamed that she was Queen Dido, and you the Prince AEneas, and when you were
shipped and gone away, she stabbed herself.
Frisk.
If she were Dido, I should prove AEneas.
Maid.
On my Conscience she fetched as many sighs when she awaked, and made as many
piteous complaints and lamentations, as if her dream had been true, and she really bad been
Queen Dido, insomuch as I was afraid that she would have killed he self indeed, and was
running forth the Chamber to call in company to hinder her, but that she commanded me to
stay, saying, that it was but the passion of her dream, for she hoped that you would prove a
more constant and faithful Lover, than to leave her to despair.
Frisk.
28
The next time she is in the same passion, tell her I will be like AEneas, meet her in Hell:
In the mean time carry her this Letter.
Maid.
Lord, Lord, she will be a joyed woman, to receive a letter from you, and I shall be a
welcome Messenger unto her, and the letter will be worth a new gown to me.
Frisk.
I wish it may be a gown of price to thee.
Exeunt.
Scene 13.
Enter Monsieur Satyrical, and mademoiselle Bon' Esprit.
BOn 'Esprit.
How shall I pacify my companions, or qualify their spleens? who will be in a furious rage,
when they perceive and know my real love to you: for they made me as their hook to the line
of their Angle, and hope to catch you like a Gudgeon.
Satyrical.
All that Angle do not catch; yet you have drawn me forth of the salt satirical Sea.
Bon' Esprit.
But their desire is, that you should lie gasping on the shore of Love.
Satyrical.
Would they be so cruel, as not to throw me into a fresh River?
Bon' Esprit.
No: for they joy in the thought of your torments, and their general prayers are to Cupid,
imploring him to wound you with a golden-headed Arrow, and she you love, with an Arrow
headed with lead: As for their particular prayers, they are after this manner.
One prays you may sigh yourself into Air, and the Air so infectious, as it may plague all
the satirical of your Sex.
Another prayeth you may weep tears of Vitriol, and that the sharpness of those tears may
corrode your soul.
Another prays that your passion of love may be so hot, as it may torment you, as Hellfire doth the damned; but Mother Matron, besides saying Amen to all their prayers, makes
her prayers thus, That she for whose sake you must endure all these torments, may be the
oldest, and most ill-favoured deformed woman that ever Nature, Accident, and Time made.
Satyrical.
She would have me in Love with herself, it seems by her prayer.
Bon' Esprit.
29
If she did hear you, she would die for want of Revenge.
Satyrical.
But Mistress, what prayer made you for me?
Bon' Esprit.
Not a cursing prayer: for though Mother Matron would have carried me up to the top of
the Hill of Rage, and instead of a prayer for you, there to have made curses against you, yet
she could neither force me up the one, nor persuade me to the other: for I told her I would
give a blessing instead of a curse, and for fear of that, she left persisting.
Satyrical.
I perceive I had been in danger, had not you saved me, and like a merciful Goddess kept
me from their fury; but I'm afraid, that for my sake they will curse you now.
Bon' Esprit.
No doubt of it; but the best of't is, that their cursing prayers, or prayers of curses, go no
farther than their lips.
Satyrical.
For all their furious rage, self-conceit persuades me, that if I had addressed myself as a
Suitor to any one of them, they would have been more merciful than to have denied my suit.
Bon' Esprit.
I can think no otherwise: for I shall judge them by myself.
Satyrical.
Pray let's go, and invite them to our Wedding.
Bon' Esprit.
By no means: for they will take that as ill, as if you did indeed invite them to a poisoned
Banquet: But if I may advise, it is not to tell them our Design, but let them find it out
themselves.
Satyrical.
I shall agree to your Counsel.
Exeunt.
Scene 14.
Enter Mother Matron, and her Maid.
Matron.
Come, come, I have watched and longed for your Return above two hours, I may say
above two years, for so the time did seem to me. O Venus, thou Fair and Amorous Goddess,
send me a comfortable Answer, if't be thy will!
Maid.
30
I have brought you a Letter from Monsieur Frisk; but for my part I know not what comfort
he hath sent you.
Matron.
O Cupid, Oh Cupid, be my friend!
She opens the Letter and reads it aloud.
The Letter.
Amorous Mother Matron;
THough Time hath made you sit for Heaven, having worn out your body, a substance
for Love to work upon, converting or translating it all into Soul, an incorporeal shadow,
which none but the Gods can employ to any use; yet since you Esteem and Love
me as a God, to resign up that incorporality, I can do no less than return you thanks,
although I never did merit such a gift: But my sins, I confess are many, and deserve great
punishments, yet I hope the Gods will be more merciful, than to leave me void of reason,
or to suffer Nature to make me to have extravagant appetites, or Heaven to leave me
to extravagant appetites; but howsoever, as occasions fall out, I shall show reverence to
your Motherly Gravity, and in the mean time rest
Your Admirer, FRISK.
31
Matron.
I know not by this Letter whether he will be my Lover, or not; yet I will kiss it for his sake.
She kisses the Letter.
O sweet Letter, thou happy Paper, that hast received the pressure of this hand! What did
he say when he gave you this letter to bring me?
Maid.
He talked of Pluto, and of Hell.
Matron.
How, of Hell!
Maid.
Yes, but it was concerning AEneas and Dido.
Mother Matron fetches a great sigh.
Matron.
I hope he will not make me such an Example as Queen Dido, nor himself so false a Lover
as AEneas; but if he should, I will cry out, Oh thou my cruel AEneas hast slain me!
Exeunt.
Scene 15.
Enter Superbe, Portrait, Faction, and Pleasure.
FAction.
Now I have seen mademoiselle la Belle, I perceive Fame gives more praise than Nature
Beauty.
Superbe.
To some she doth.
Portrait.
Nay faith, for the most part, to all.
Enter Monsieur Sensuality.
Sensuality.
O Ladies, there is the greatest loss befallen me, that ever befell man!
Portrait.
What loss?
Sensuality.
Why Mademoiselle la Belle is gone.
Pleasure.
How gone? Is she married, or dead?
32
Sensuality.
Faith she's as bad as dead to me, and worse than if she were married: for if she were
a Wife, there would be some hopes; but her careful Father hath carried her away into the
Country, being jealous of the much company that came to visit her.
Faction.
It seems he knew she was apt to be catched, that he durst not trust her: But how came
you to receive a greater loss than the rest of the Masculine Visiters?
Sensuality.
Because I had greater hopes than I perceive the rest had.
Portrait.
Why, had you a design to get her for a Wife?
Sensuality.
No faith, mine was a better design, which was to get her for a Mistress.
Superbe.
But it was likely she would never have been your Mistress.
Sensuality.
It was likely she would have been my Mistress: for she was fair and foolish, kind and
toyish, and had an inviting Eye.
Pleasure.
Why you may follow her into the Country.
Sensuality.
No, the City is so well stored, as I shall not need to put myself to that trouble, as to journey
after her.
Exeunt.
Scene 16.
Enter Mother Matron alone.
Matron.
O Love! thou tormenter of soft hearts, or a melter of hard ones, soften the hard heart of
Monsieur Frisk, and ease my soft and tender heart, inflame his spirits to love, and refresh
mine with his kindness: Oh Venus, persuade thy Son in my behalf, and consider me by
thyself! Ha, ho!
Exit.
Scene 17.
Enter temperance, Faction, Portrait, Pleasure, Ambition, and Superbe.
33
TEmperance.
I would never have an extraordinary Beauty seen but once, and that should be in a public
Assembly.
Pleasure.
It is a sign, Temperance, your beauty is past: for would you have an extraordinary Beauty
to be buried in oblivion?
Temperance.
No: for I would have all the World see, if it could be shown to the whole World; but I would
have it shown but once, and no more.
Superbe.
Why so?
Temperance.
Because what is common, is never highly prized, but rather despised, or at least
neglected by continuance: for that which is at first admired as a wonder, when it comes to
be as domestic, is not regarded: for it is an old saying, That the greatest wonder lasts but
nine days.
Portrait.
But there is such a sympathy betwixt beauty and sight, that as long as beauty doth last,
sight will take delight to look thereon; and the Design, End, or Fruition of Beauty, is to be
gazed upon: for from the sight it receives Praise, Love, and Desire, and by reflection sets
all hearts on fire.
Faction.
O that I had such a Beauty as would burn every Masculine heart into cinders!
Temperance.
Why are you so cruel, Lady, to wish such a wish to the Masculine Sex?
Faction.
My wish proceeds out of love to myself, and mercy to men. First, out of love to myself: for
as I am a woman, I naturally desire Beauty, and there is no woman that had not rather have
beauty, although attended with an unfortunate life, than be ill-favoured, to enjoy prosperity.
The last wish is out of mercy to men: for their hearts are so false and foul, as no way
but burning can purify them.
Ambition.
That were the way to try their constancy.
Temperance.
For my part, if it were in my power to choose, I would rather have Wit than Beauty: for
Wit pleaseth the Ear, both longer and more, than Beauty pleaseth the Sight, and the sound
34
of the one, spreads farther than the sight of the other: Besides, Wit recreates the Mind, and
entertains the Reason, Beauty only the Sense, and but one sense, as the sight, when Wit
is a companion not only to the sense of Hearing, but the soul of Understanding; and it is
not only a delightful Companion, but a subtle Observer, an ingenious inventor, an excellent
Artificer, a politic Counsellor, a powerful Commander, a prudent Ruler, and a divine Creator;
it observes all nature's works; it invents all useful Arts, it frames all Commonwealths, it guides
the Senses, rules the Appetites, commands the Passions, counsels the Thoughts, regulates
the Opinions, creates the Conceptions, Imaginations, and Fancies; it builds Poetical Castles,
and makes Gardens of Rhetoric, and makes the sound Harmonical, playing with words, as on
musical Instruments: Besides, Wit continues to old Age, when Beauty vades in a year or two.
Superbe.
Come, come, Temperance, if you were young, you would prefer Beauty before a Wit, by
which you might get more pleasure by the one, than profit by the other: But all our Sex, when
they grow in years, desire to be thought Wits, when they can no longer be thought Beauties,
which makes them dispute for Wit, and dispraise Beauty, by undervaluing it.
Enter mademoiselle Bon' Esprit.
Pleasure.
mademoiselle Bon' Esprit, you are welcome: for we long to hear the success of your
design, since we have heard that Monsieur Satyrical hath been to visit you, hath he not?
Bon' Esprit.
Yes.
Ambition.
But have you catched him?
Bon' Esprit.
Sure enough.
Portrait.
Then strangle him with Cupid's bowstring.
Faction.
Hang him, that's not punishment enough.
Superbe.
No; but when he's a confirmed Lover, report he's mad.
Ambition.
We shall not need to report that: for when he is a confirmed Lover, he will do such
ridiculous actions, and behave himself so extravagantly vain, and so constrainly foolish, and
speak such nonsense, in striving to speak beyond the power of words, insomuch as all that
hear and see him, will swear he's mad.
Pleasure.
35
They will swear nothing but the truth; for all Lovers are mad, more or less. But
mademoiselle Bon' Esprit, are you sure you have him in Cupid's snare?
Bon' Esprit.
I do verily believe I have him in Loves bonds.
Portrait.
O how I joy, to think how we shall triumph!
Superbe.
What shall our Triumphant-Chariot be?
Faction.
Scorns, scorns, set on the wheels of laughter, drawn by a company of lame, sore, scurvy
words.
Bon' Esprit.
Will you have your Triumphant-Chariot drawn by a company of foolish words? that will
be as bad, and as much disgrace, as lean-jaded horses in a brave gilded Coach.
Pleasure.
No, no, sprightly jests were better.
Bon' Esprit.
They may chance to run you out of the field of Civility, at least out of the right ways of Wit.
Ambition.
Let them run where they will, so they carry his reproach with them.
Bon' Esprit.
Will you carry this reproach along with you, and leave him behind you?
Faction.
We will carry his reproach about the World.
Bon' Esprit.
While you bear the burden, he will rest at home in ease and peace in his mind.
Faction.
Good Lord, what makes you thus to contradict our Designs?
Bon' Esprit.
I do not contradict your Designs, but show you the Error of your Conduct.
Pleasure.
Why then conduct us better.
Bon' Esprit.
36
So I shall, if you will give me leave: for I shall conduct you through the fair ways: of peace,
and not through the foul ways of malice, which are myery and deep with revenge, in which
you may stick, or be thrown in disgrace; but I will carry you through the sweet Meadows
of good Nature, wherein runs clear Rivulets of Charity, in which you may bathe yourselves
under the fruitful trees of good works, and take the fresh Air of Applause, and be cooled with
the soft winds of Praise. Thus washed, cleansed, and refreshed, you will be fit to enter into
the Palace of Fame.
Faction.
Heyday, where will your Tongue carry us?
Bon' Esprit.
As high as it can, even to the House of Fame, which stands on the highest pinnacle of
Heaven.
Ambition.
Let me examine you, Are you not carried by love to the top of Parnassus Hill?
Superbe.
By jupiter, she that went to catch Love, is catched by Love herself.
Portrait.
Venus forbid: for that would be such a disgrace, as we shall be never able to pull off,
or rub out.
Bon' Esprit.
What you cannot rub out, or pull off, you must be content to wear with patience.
Exit Bon' Esprit.
Pleasure.
I suspect her.
Ambition.
I confess I doubt her.
Superbe.
I fear your doubts.
Faction.
I am confident we have lost her, striving to catch him.
Portrait.
Let us follow her, and examine her.
Exeunt.
Scene 18.
Enter Monsieur Sensuality, and Monsieur Censure.
37
SEnsuality.
I hear that thou intendest to be a married man shortly.
Censure.
Yes faith, I am going to put my neck into the noose.
Sensuality.
Nay, if you noose it, hang it; for the noose of marriage is ten times worse than the halter
of death.
Censure.
I am not of your Opinion.
Sensuality.
Why then thou art not of a wise opinion: for in Death there is no trouble, and in Marriage
no quiet.
Censure.
A single life is melancholy, being solitary.
Sensuality.
So I perceive rather than you'll want company, thou wilt associate thyself with cares and
vexations.
Censure.
No, I will associate myself with Wife and Children.
Sensuality.
Well, let me tell you, if that thou marriest, a hundred to one but thou wilt be a Cuckold.
Censure.
I hope not.
Sensuality.
How canst thou have hopes, when that the Gods are Cuckolds? wherefore 'tis impossible
mortal men should escape.
Censure.
All the Gods are not so, it is but only limping Vulcan that is one.
Sensuality.
Pardon me: for if their divine Wives make them not Cuckolds, yet their human Wives do.
Censure.
But the Gods marry not human creatures.
Sensuality.
38
But human creatures marry the Gods, and that is all one: for in all Religions there are
Nuns are the God's human wives; and did not Catiline Cuckold the Gods, when he lay with
a Vestal Nun? And many more are mentioned in Story, and you may well believe all are
not Recorded.
Censure.
Well, if the Gods be Cuckolds, I may have the less cause to murmur, if I should be one:
for it is an honour to be like the God.
Sensuality.
Well, I wish as thy friend, that thou mayst flourish in that Honour.
Exeunt.
ACT IV.
Scene 19.
Enter Ambition, Faction, Pleasure, Portrait, Superbe, Temperance, as following
Mademoiselle Bon' Esprit.
PLeasure.
We do not like your dark Answers: for Truth is clear.
Ambition.
Confess, have you deceived us, or not?
Bon' Esprit.
I have not deceived you: for you did intrust me to draw him to Love, and to be in love as
a Lover, and I have discharged your trust, and have brought your designs to pass.
Faction.
But our designs were not that he should be beloved of you, but hated of all our Sex.
Bon' Esprit.
Why then you did spread your designs beyond your reach: for do you think you have the
power of Fate, to rule, govern, and dispose of the passions of Mankind as you please, when
alas you are so powerless, as you cannot rule, govern, and dispose of your own passions,
and so ignorant, that you know not your own destinies, nor how, nor to what your passions
will lead you to: Besides, you enjoined not my passions, you did not forbid me to love him,
but only employed my Wit to make him a Lover, and so I have.
Portrait.
And you have proved yourself a Fool, in becoming a Lover.
Bon' Esprit.
Losers may have leave to speak any thing, and therefore I will not quarrel with you.
39
Superbe.
We are not losers by the loss of you.
Faction.
But we are, for with the loss of her, we have lost our sweet revenge: for by her we thought
to have catched him like a Woodcock in a Net, and then to have cut off his wings of Fancy,
and to have pulled out his feathers of Pride, or else to have enticed him like a fool with a
rattle, and then to have tossed him on satirical Tongues, as in a blanket of shame: But now,
instead of a blanket of shame, he will lie in the Arms of Beauty, and instead of being tossed
with satirical tongues, he will be flattered with kisses, for which we may curse the Fates.
Pleasure.
But it is strange to me, that she can love such a railing ill-natured man as Monsieur
Satyrical.
Ambition.
I wonder she doth not blush at her choice! Are you not out of countenance, to be in love
with such a man, that is the worst of men?
Portrait.
Confess, do not you repent?
Bon' Esprit.
So far am I from repenting, as I love him so well, as he seems to me to be such a person,
as to be so much above the rest of Mankind, as he ought to be adored, worshipped, kneeled
down and prayed to, as to a Deity; and the beginning of those prayers offered to him should
be, Oh thou worthiest, meritoriousest, and hest of men!
Faction.
She's mad, she's stark mad: wherefore let us bind her with chains, and whip her with
cords, to bring her to her wits again.
Enter Monsieur Satyrical.
Bon' Esprit.
O Sir, you are a person born to relieve the distressed, and comfort the afflicted: for you
are come in a timely hour, to release me from a company of Furies that threaten me.
Satyrical.
These Ladies appear too fair to be the daughters of Night, who are said to be the Furies.
But Ladies, I hope you will pardon me for taking away so pleasing a companion from you as
my Mistress is; but by her I shall be made Master of a world of happiness, and I shall not only
enjoy a world, but a Heavenly Paradise, wherein all Goodness, Virtues, Beauties, and sweet
Graces are planted: And what man would not challenge or claim Heaven, if Heaven could
be gained by claiming; wherefore I challenge and claim this Lady, as being mine to enjoy.
Faction.
40
If you had challenged or claimed any other Lady, in my conscience you would have been
refused.
Satyrical.
I desire no more than what I have.
Exit Satyrical, and his Mistress Bon' Esprit.
Portrait.
I could cry with anger.
Temperance.
Ladies, take my counsel, which is, to be friends with Madam Bon' Esprit, and Monsieur
Satyrical, otherwise they will laugh at you to see what fools they have made you.
Pleasure.
She gives us good advice; wherefore let us follow it, and be friends.
Faction.
I may be seemingly friends, but never really friends.
Temperance.
Why seeming friendship passes and trafficks as well in the world, as those that are real.
Superbe.
You say well: wherefore let us seem to be friends.
Exeunt.
Scene 20.
Enter Monsieur Frisk, and Mother matron's Maid.
Frisk.
My fair Maid, what Message have you brought me now?
Maid.
My Mistress remembers her loving love unto you, and bids me tell you, that she takes
it wondrous unkindly that you showed the young Ladies the Letter, and that she heard you
mocked and jeered at her.
Frisk.
Tell her I did but as all Lovers use to do, vaunt of their Mistress's love, and boast of their
Mistress's favours.
Maid.
She doth not like your boasting; but howsoever, to show and express her constant love
and affectionate heart, she hath sent you two hundred pounds to buy you a Nag.
Frisk.
41
I accept of the Present, and tell her I will ride the Nag for her sake.
Maid.
My Mistress will be a joyed Woman, to hear that you will ride for her sake.
Frisk.
But is thy Mistress rich?
Maid.
Yes by my truth is she; for she hath store of bags in her Chests.
Frisk.
But are they full of gold and silver?
Maid.
Yes: for I have seen her tell the money in the bags, bag after bag.
Frisk.
Is it all her own?
Maid.
Yes certainly it is all her own.
Frisk.
How came she to be so rich?
Maid.
Why the young lady's Parents give her money or moneys worth to Govern and Educate
their Daughters, and the young Ladies bribe her to keep their counsels, and fee her to be
their Agent, and their Courtly Servants present her with rich gifts to prefer their Suits, and to
speak in their behalfs to the young Ladies; and thus she gains on every side, and takes gifts
on both hands, and she being miserable and sparing, must needs be rich; but now she is
become a Lover, she begins to grow prodigal, as all Lovers are; but if she had a million, she
says, nay swears, she could bestow it all on her beloved, which beloved is your Worship.
Frisk.
I could be well content to marry her wealth, and lie with her Maid, but I would not be
troubled with the Mistress.
Maid.
My Mistress, I believe, will be a very fond Wife.
Frisk.
And that fondness is the second obstacle I stick at: for first to be old, and then to be fond,
will be a double misery, as being an intolerable trouble, and a nauseous vexation; for there
is nothing more hateful, than an amorous fond old woman: But if thou wilt be fond of me, I
shall like it well; and if any thing could persuade me to marry thy Mistress, next to her wealth,
will be in hopes of thy kindness. What say you, will you be kind?
42
Maid.
I shall not be undutiful: when you are my Master, I shall deny no service I can do your
Worship.
Frisk.
That's well promised: In the mean time remember me to thy Mistress, and thank her for
her Present, and tell her, the more such Presents she sends, the welcomer they shall be.
Exeunt.
Scene 21.
Enter Monsieur Sensuality, and mademoiselle Portrait.
SEnsuality.
Mademoiselle, you may do a charitable Act.
Portrait.
As how?
Sensuality.
As to marry me.
Portrait.
If it be a Charity to you, it would be none to myself, but the contrary: I should prove cruel
to myself, in making my life unhappy.
Sensuality.
Yet it will be a meritorious Act: for what is more meritorious than to save a soul?
Portrait.
So I shall rob Pluto of his due and just right.
Sensuality.
He will never miss his loss: for on my Conscience he is not so good an Arithmetician, as
he could count and number the Millions of souls he hath in Hell, or those he hath right to;
nay, if he had the skill of Utlick, he could not number them, for they surmount all Accounts.
Portrait.
But the torments he puts souls, to will find them out.
Sensuality.
It is a question whether souls are capable of torments; but howsoever; to put it out of
question, pray marry me: for I am become of a sudden very consentious.
Portrait.
But there will be another question, which is, Whether Marriage will save you, or not?
Sensuality.
43
O yes: for the Purgatory of Marriage doth purify Souls, and make them fit for Heaven.
Portrait.
But I fear, if I should marry you, I should do like those that strive to save a drowning man;
so I, endeavouring to save you, should lose myself.
Sensuality.
There is no Honourable Act, without some danger to the Actor.
Portrait.
But all wise Actions have security.
Sensuality.
There is no security in Nature.
Portrait.
I will consider, although after a wise consideration I do a foolish action, as most
considerers do.
Exeunt.
ACT V.
Scene 22.
Enter Monsieur Heroic, and mademoiselle Ambition.
HEroick.
Madam, I hear I live in your good Opinion.
Ambition.
Your merits do.
Heroic.
I hope if you do esteem my merits, if I have merits to be esteemed, you will not despise
my Person, nor deny my Suit.
Ambition.
I esteem of your person for your merit's sake, and those that have merits, and are worthy,
will make no ignoble Suit: wherefore I may grant it before I know it.
Heroic.
My Suit is, to accept of me for your Husband.
Ambition.
I shall not deny to be your Wife.
44
Enter as to these Couple all the Cabal, as Pleasure, Portrait, Faction, Superbe, Bon'
Esprit, Temperance, Matron, Wanton, Excess, Ease, Tranquillitous Peace, Vainglorious,
Censure, Satyrical, Frisk, Sensuality, busy, Inquisitive, Liberty.
Tranquill.
Well met, Monsieur Heroical, and mademoiselle Ambition.
Inquisitive.
Now we are all met, how shall we pass the time away?
Pleasure.
Nay rather, how shall we recreate our time?
Vain-glor.
Let us sit and declare what we love or hate.
All speak.
Agreed,
Superbe.
Shall we declare our love or our hate first?
Censure.
Our love first.
Heroic.
Nay faith let love close up our discourse.
Ambition.
Then let hate be the Gentleman-Usher.
Bon' Esprit.
She will usher you into foul ways.
Sensuality.
Let her usher us into as foul ways as she will, we will follow her.
All speak.
Begin, begin.
Superbe.
I hate poverty: for that dejects the Spirits, and oppresseth the Life.
Satyrical.
I hate falsehood: for that deceives my Reason, and blindfolds my Senses.
Bon' Esprit.
I hate a fool, because he obstructs my Understanding, and sets my Brain on the Rack.
Tranquill.
45
I hate noise, because it disturbs my thoughts, hurts my hearing, and buries sense, reason,
and auricular words.
Pleasure.
I hate sickness, because it is a friend to Death.
Vain-glor.
I hate vain follies, because they bring neither content, pleasure, nor profit.
Ambition.
I hate a Court, because it puts Modesty out of countenance, Patience out of humour, and
Merit out of favour.
Heroic.
I hate a slavish Peace, because there is no employment for noble active spirits.
Excess.
I hate truth, because it tells me my faults.
busy.
I hate truth, because it hinders my search thereof.
Ease.
I hate motion, because therein there is no rest.
Inquisitive.
I hate rest, because it makes no Inquiries.
Temperance.
I hate life, because therein is more pain and trouble than pleasure or peace.
Liberty.
I hate restraint, because it enslaves life.
Wanton.
I hate a Nunnery, because it doth not only restrain, but bar our Sex from the sight of men.
Temperance.
Thou lovest men well, that their very sight delights thee.
Censure.
I hate light, because it discovers Lovers.
Faction.
I hate darkness, because it conceals Adulteries.
Sensuality.
I hate a chaste Beauty, because she quenches my hopes, and inflames my desires.
46
Portrait.
I hate mademoiselle la Belle, because Monsieur Sensuality did like her.
Frisk.
I hate Age: for that vades Beauty, and banishes Lovers.
Matron.
No more of Age and Hate, take Love without Beauty.
Bon' Esprit.
Mother Matron would have you take her.
Frisk.
Nay faith we will leave Mother Matron, and begin with Love.
Inquisitive.
I love plenty: for in plenty lives happiness.
Wanton.
I love freedom: for in freedom lives pleasure.
Temperance.
By your favour, Plenty may want happiness, and Freedom pleasure.
Sensuality.
I love to go to Church.
Temperance.
What, to hear a Sermon?
Sensuality.
No, to meet a Mistress.
Temperance.
Out upon thee thou Reprobate, would you make a Church a Bawdy-house?
Sensuality.
No, I would make that place where Beauties were, a Church, and the fairest should be
the Goddess I would pray to.
Temperance.
There are not any that are fair will hear you.
Sensuality.
And those that are foul I will not pray to.
Censure.
Follow Love: for that makes all things fair and pleasing.
47
Ease.
I love silence: for in silence my life lives easily, my thoughts freely, and my mind
harmoniously.
Temperance.
Sometimes the thoughts disturb the mind, and so the life, more than noise disturbs the
thoughts.
Vain-glor.
I love Honour: for in Honour lives Respect.
Portrait.
I love Beauty: for in Beauty lives admiration.
Heroic.
I love Fame: for in Fame lives the memory of the best of my Actions.
Ambition.
I love power: for in power lives Adorations.
Satyrical.
I love Wit: for that delights myself, and recreates my friends.
Bon' Esprit.
I love Eloquence: for that delights my Ear.
Temperance.
But Eloquence will deceive your Judgement, delude your Understanding, and flatter your
Passions with insinuating persuasions, and will draw you into an Erroneous Belief, and by
that unto unjust actions.
Sensuality.
I love mademoiselle Portrait.
Portrait.
I love Monsieur Sensuality.
Heroic.
I love mademoiselle Ambition.
Ambition.
I love Monsieur Heroic.
Satyrical.
I love mademoiselle Bon' Esprit.
Bon' Esprit.
I love Monsieur Satyrical.
48
Vain-glor.
I love mademoiselle Superbe.
Superbe.
I love Monsieur Vainglorious.
Tranquill.
I love mademoiselle Pleasure.
Pleasure.
I love Monsieur Tranquillitous Peace.
Censure.
I love mademoiselle Faction.
Faction.
I love Monsieur Censure.
busy.
I love ma filia Excess.
Excess.
I love Monsieur Busy.
Liberty.
I love ma filia Wanton.
Wanton.
I love Monsieur Liberty.
Ease.
I love a single life: for in Marriage lives too much trouble to live in Ease.
Temperance.
I love to continue a Widow: for Temperance is banished from most places and persons.
Matron.
I love Monsieur Frisk; but Monsieur Frisk loves not me.
Censure.
Faith I'll persuade him to love, if not thy person, yet thy wealth; for thou art rich, and he
hath hardly enough means to bear up his Gentility: Besides, one Maid and one Widow is
enough, more would be too much.
Faction.
And one Bachelor.
Censure.
49
Who's that?
Faction.
Monsieur Inquisitive.
Censure.
Faith 'tis fit and proper he should live a Bachelor: for an Inquisitive Husband would not
be good, neither for his own sake, nor his Wives.
Temperance.
But Gentlemen and Ladies, although you all say you love such a Lady, and such a Lady
loves such a Gentleman, yet you do not say you will marry each other.
Faction.
You may be sure, if we do publicly profess love, we intend to marry: for though we may
love and not marry, or marry and not love, yet not profess it in an open Assembly; for Love
without Marriage lives incognito.
Tranquill.
But marriage without love is visible enough: for it lies to the view of all their neighbours
knowledge.
Temperance.
Well, noble Gentlemen, and virtuous Ladies, if you resolve all to marry, I would advise
you to marry all in one day.
Bon' Esprit.
O Madam Temperance, you are sick.
Temperance.
Why?
Superbe.
By reason healthful temperance never gives such surfeiting counsel: for there are as
many of us as might be marrying a year, and keeping their Festivals, and you would have
all married in one day.
Ambition.
Madam Temperance means, she would have a whole year as one Wedding-day
Heroic.
And one Wedding-day to the Bride and Bridegroom, is as one whole year.
Satyrical.
Not to every Bride and Bridegroom: for on my Conscience Monsieur Frisk, if he should
marry Mother Matron, will think his Wedding-day but a minute long.
Faction.
50
But Mother Matron will think the day an Age.
Portrait.
You speak so loud, she'll hear you.
Faction.
O no, for the most part she is deaf: for she many times stops wool into her ears to keep
out the cold.
Exeunt.
Scene 23.
Enter two Gentlemen.
1 GEntlem.
I hear that wit's Cabal is removing out of Cupid's Court into Hymen's prison, and there
to be bound in bonds of Matrimony.
2 Gent.
Faith I pity the Cabal, and condemn their Wit, by reason it did not keep them out of slavery.
1 Gentle.
Wit is both a Pander and a Traitor: for Wit is a Pimp in Cupid's Court, and betrays his
Court to Hymen's Prison.
2 Gentlem.
There are no prisoners look so dejectedly as Hymen's prisoners.
1 Gentle.
There is great reason for it: for they are almost starved for want of variety, and they have
less liberty than other prisoners have.
Exeunt.
Scene 24.
Enter two other Gentlemen.
1 GEnt.
You hear of the great Marriages that are concluded on, and they are to be dispatched
out of hand.
2 Gent.
Hear of them (say you) I must stop my Ears, and shut my Eyes, if I did not both hear and
see their preparations: for all the Tradesmen are so busily employed, as if they were never
to sell or work more after these Marriages.
1 Gent.
What Tradesmen are those?
51
2 Gent.
Why Tailors, Shoemakers, Hosiers, Seamstresses, feathermen, Periwig-makers,
Perfumers, Clothiers, lineners, Silk men, Mercers, milliners, Haberdashers, Curlers,
Spurriers, Saddlers, Coach-makers, upholsterer, besides Confectioners, Cooks, Bakers,
Brewers, Butchers, Poulterers, and twenty more I cannot think of.
1 Gent.
They will kill and destroy so many creatures for their Feasts, that they will make a
massacre.
2 Gent.
A Famine I think:
1 Gent.
But there will be great dancings at the Court they say: for three will be Masks, Plays,
Balls, and such braveries as never was.
2 Gent.
These public Weddings, and such public Revellings, put the Gentry to more charges,
than many times they are able to spare; which if it were not for Revelling, there would be no
need of such vain and idle Expenses.
1 Gent.
I mean to be at some charges, as to make me a new Suit or two of Clothes.
2 Gent.
Faith I will spare my purse, and stay at home.
Exeunt.
Scene 25.
Enter the several Couples, Heroic and Ambition, Tranquillitous Peace and Pleasure,
Satyrical and Bon' Esprit, Vainglorious and Superbe, Censure and Faction, Sensuality and
Portrait, busy and Excess, Liberty and Wanton, Frisk and Mother Matron.
VAinglor.
Where will you keep your Wedding-Feast?
Heroic.
We will keep ours at the Court.
Censure.
So will we.
Vain-glor.
And so will we.
busy.
52
And so will we.
Tranquill.
If you please, Mistress, we will keep ours in the Country.
Pleasure.
I approve of it.
Satyrical.
If my Mistress agree, we will keep ours at the Playhouse, and feast and dance upon the
Stage.
Bon' Esprit.
I agree and approve of your Choice.
Censure.
An Ordinary, or Tavern, is a more commodious place for the Society of the Wits: for I am
sure all the Wits will meet there.
Satyrical.
But if an Ordinary, or Tavern, be more commodious, yet they are not so public places
as the Theatres of Players; so that Wits may be merrier and freer in a Tavern, but not so
divulged as on a Stage in a Playhouse.
Heroic.
The truth is, an Ordinary or Tavern is a more proper place for Monsieur Sensuality and
his Mistress to keep their Wedding-Feast, than for Monsieur Satyrical and his Mistress.
Sensuality.
By your favour, the most proper place for us is the Court.
busy.
I think that an Hospitable Gentleman's House in the Country, is most proper for Monsieur
Sensuality to keep his Wedding-Feast in.
Superbe.
That is a more proper place for Liberty and Wanton.
Faction.
Nay, by your favour, another House (which shall be nameless, for fear of offending) is
fitter for them.
Matron.
My Honey sweet Love, where shall we keep our Wedding-Feast?
Frisk.
For your sake, my Sugar-sweeting, we will keep it in Bedlam, and Monsieur Busy and
his Bride shall keep us company.
53
Matron.
Thou art a very wag, my Love.
Tranquil.
W' are all agreed.
Sensuality.
Pray Jove we speed.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
54
55
Textual Notes
The textual notes below aim at making textual corrections readable in their immediate
context and facilitating access to the source text. A five-dit number preceded by 'A' or 'B'
represents an EEBO-TCP filenumber. A notation like "6-b-2890" means "look for EEBO page
image 6 of that text, word 289 on the right side of the double-page image." That reference is
followed by the corrupt reading. A black dot stands for an unidentified letter, a black square
for an unidentified punctuation mark, a diamond for a missing word, and the ellipsis for a
short span of undefined length. The corrected reading is displayed as a kewyord in context.
A53060_09-160-a-2050 {Conpuest Fancy , Passion , or Appetites : And what [Conquest]
soever Women make on Men , if any Conquest
A53060_09-160-b-1480 {aftee substantial , and in being , when the pleasures [after] death are
uncertain ; but if they were certain
A53060_09-163-a-0200 {surly# not have him a Boor by Nature , which is [surly,] , rude ,
grumbling , and miserable : I would
A53060_09-163-a-2080 {brawl#ries respected ; to live peaceably , to avoid [brawleries] . And
such a man as this , will be kind
A53060_09-164-b-6060 {deny'll Troy , but not so consuming ; but if thou [deny'st] me , I shall
consume in mine own flames
A53060_09-166-b-0870 {adv#se them to a poyson'd Banquet : But if I may [advise] , it is not to
tell them our Design , but
A53060_09-168-a-0110 {recreate# than the sight of the other : Besides , Wit [recreates] the
Mind , and entertains the Reason , Beauty
A53060_09-168-a-1410 {Potiecal , Imaginations , and Fancies ; it builds [Poetical] Castles ,
and makes Gardens of Rhetorick
A53060_09-170-b-1800 {#ind But the torments he puts souls , to will [find] them out .
A53060_09-171-a-5010 {out because it doth not only restrain , but bar [our] Sex from the sight
of men .